By Clint Thompson The revised budget cut requirements from the Georgia Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget and the State Legislature may have spared the state farmers market locations in Cordele, Thomasville and Savannah. Julie McPeake, Georgia Department of Agriculture Chief Communications officer, confirmed that as a result of the budget cut requirement from 14% to 10%, the State Legislature …
Clemson Extension Reports Downy Mildew on Cucurbits
According to The South Carolina Grower, Clemson Extension agents provided updates on the status of fruits and vegetables throughout the state. Coastal Rob Last reports, “In our area, crops are generally looking good with watermelons and cantaloupes coming to harvest. From a pest perspective, we are finding some early pickleworm and melon worm damage occurring. In addition, cucumber beetles and …
Georgia Vegetable Growers Should Prepare Now for Harvesting
By Andre Luiz Biscaia Ribeiro da Silva for UGA CAES News As we approach the harvest season for watermelon, bell pepper, tomato, yellow squash, zucchini, cucumber, sweet corn and other crops, Georgia vegetable growers can move ahead and prepare seasonal workers to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 during harvest time. According to the National Watermelon Association, there was an increase …
Sweet Market for Melon Farmers
By Clint Thompson Watermelon prices are holding strong for Southeast farmers, according to one South Georgia producer. Terrell Rutland believes extenuating circumstances could help extend the strong market, currently at 20 cents per pound, for growers an extra few weeks. “Anything north got frost bit about the first of May. Florida is through so that kind of puts us in …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates on Various Crops
According to this week’s edition of The South Carolina Grower, Clemson Extension agents responded how different crops are progressing this production season. Coastal Zack Snipes reports, “It’s the time of year when crops are starting to look ugly. We are in the middle of tomato harvest and it seems to be a pretty good crop this year. Bacterial spot is …
Rapid and Sensitive Method for Detection of Phytophthora Capsici in Irrigation Water Sources
Emran Ali, Owen Hudson, Justin Hand, and Sumyya Waliullah Georgia ranks among the top three states in the nation in vegetable production. One of the most serious diseases in vegetable production in Georgia is Phytophthora blight, caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora capsici. It is a water mold that attacks the roots, foliage, and fruit, causing root rot, crown rot, …
CFAP Payments Already Being Issued
By Clint Thompson Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments are already starting to be issued across the country to farmers impacted by COVID-19. Some specialty crop growers in the Southeast have already started receiving funds. As of June 8, in Florida, 95 specialty crop applications have been submitted with $11.5 million in payments issued by the USDA. In Georgia, 91 …
Georgia Budget Cuts Include Five Farmers Market Locations
By Clint Thompson Unless changes are made by the Georgia Legislature to the Department of Agriculture’s proposed budget cuts, five state farmers market locations could soon become business casualties. Locations in Augusta, Cordele, Macon, Savannah and Thomasville are on the list to be cut. Julie McPeake, Georgia Department of Agriculture Chief Communication Officer, said the proposal has been sent to …
FFVA President: CFAP Payment Amount Falls Short
By Clint Thompson The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) will bring much-needed relief to farmers impacted by COVID-19. Unfortunately, the funds allocated per farmer is not enough, says Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) President Mike Joyner. “Florida agriculture was just crushed by the pandemic. A lot of our members have had some really, really big losses. When that direct …
Mexican Imports Still a Concern for American Farmers
By Clint Thompson Mexican imports of produce into the United States continues to be a problem for American farmers. They especially felt the sting this year amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Southeast growers had to overcome a declining market when restaurants and schools closed in March for fears of COVID-19. They also were overshadowed by the constant influx of Mexican …